in need, and for the purpose of bringing off others, whose fears cautioned them against staying longer in their houses.

Independent of this scene of misery, which pressed so hard upon the inhabitants of this particular quarter, the river when viewed from another point of view, exhibited a most terrific and threatening appearance, for not only was the whole of the Bridgegate overflowed, but also the lower part of the Saltmarket, Stockwell, and Jamaica Streets, as well as the village of Gorbals, which appeared as an island in the midst of an estuary. The current of the river was besides so exceedingly rapid and strong, that not only were the greatest trees borne along like straws upon its stream, but had it continued in such a situation to increase a few hours longer, the two bridges must have fallen a sacrifice to its fury. Luckily this did not take place, as the Clyde, after having attained fully the height of twenty feet above its ordinary level, began to fall, and by Wednesday immediately following, it was again confined to its ordinary channel. Only one person lost her life by this flood, a young woman in the Gorbals, though a great many cows and horses that could not be removed from their stables were drowned. The exact height of the flood is marked on the walls of a house at the foot of the Saltmarket, upon the east side of that street.

The damage sustained by this unprecedented inundation was very great, from the quantities of tobacco, sugar, and other merchandise, that were either carried away,

or destroyed by the stream. With a view of alleviating in some degree the loss sustained, a subscription was set on foot, and in the course of a few days, to the honour of the citizens of Glasgow, upwards of five hundred pounds sterling, was contributed for this generous purpose.

1795.—On the 18th of November the Clyde again rose to a great height, and inundated the lower parts of the city nearly as much as it had done in the memorable flood of the 12th day of March, 1782; and, like it, the swelling of the river was occasioned by a very severe storm of wind, rain, and snow, which commenced upon Tuesday the 17th, and continued almost without intermission till the following Wednesday in the afternoon. About the middle of that day, the current was so strong as to shake the piers of a newly erected bridge, opposite the foot of Saltmarket-Street, and in consequence two of the arches immediately gave way, and with a tremendous crash fell into the river. The concussion of the water occasioned by this cause, was almost irresistible; the doors of the washing-house, though situated at a considerable distance, were burst open, and a great quantity of clothes and utensils carried off by the impetuous stream. In the afternoon, the three remaining arches of the bridge shared the same fate with the others; and thus in the compass of a few hours, that edifice, which had been nearly a year and a half in erecting, was completely destroyed. At this time, the Bridgegate, the lower parts of the Saltmarket, Stockwell,

Jamaica-Street, and the village of Gorbals, were all under water to the depth of several feet, while boats were plying up and down these streets, administering relief to such as were in danger. On Friday morning, the river was again confined to its ordinary channel, and till Saturday, hopes were entertained that the violence of the storm was over; however, on that day it began to snow and rain afresh, and with such violence, that the Clyde quickly rose, and twice in the compass of one week overflowed the lower part of the city. On Sunday the waters appeared to be retiring, and by Monday afternoon the inundation was completely over, to the great satisfaction of the inhabitants. During this flood one boy was drowned in attempting to go home, near the foot of the New Wynd.

1808. The city, on Tuesday, August 18th, between three and four o'clock, P. M. was the scene of a violent storm of rain, hail, thunder, and lightning. The streets were quite inundated with torrents, and, amid the cataracts of hail and rain, fell several large pieces of ice. Innumerable panes of glass were broken, and sky-lights and cupolas were dashed in pieces.

In consequence of an incessant heavy fall of rain, from nine o'clock on the night of Saturday, September 5th, till eight on that of Sunday, the Clyde rose to a greater height than it had attained for the last twelve years, when the new bridge was destroyed. The lower streets of the city were laid under water, and passage by the

bridges for those on foot was obstructed. Much grain, and several cattle were forcibly swept away by the stream from the low grounds on its banks. Two arches of the bridge over the Clyde, near Hamilton, on the road from that place to Edinburgh, fell on Sunday. A young man in a boat, near the Clyde Iron-works, and another in the Green, lost their lives when attempting to secure some of the floating grain.

In 1816 another flood of the river also occurred, when it rose to the height of 17 feet, and in the years 1820, 1823, 1827, 1829, and 1832, respectively, the town was visited with "spates" which, however, must be regarded as comparatively unimportant.

Crying, hey for our town! through the borough."
BUTLER.

SINCE the first erection of Glasgow into a Royal Burgh by William the Lion, in 1180, several alterations in the political constitution of the city have taken place. William and Mary, in 1691, by their charter, empowered the magistrates and council to elect the provost, and conferred powers of choosing all other officers, as fully and freely as the City of Edinburgh, or any other Royal Burgh. The form and manner of this election by the Town Council, has since varied according to the different constitutions adopted at subsequent periods. In 1711, the original set underwent some alterations; and, in 1748, another was adopted, and afterwards confirmed,